Munnar
Munnar is a small town of the southern state of Kerala in India. The name is most often used to refer to the whole tourist area, of which the town forms a part. It is located at the confluence of the mountain streams Muthirappuzha, Chanduvarai and Kundala. It is surrounded by wild jungles and is wet and cold for most of the year. Though part of Kerala state, Tamil workers brought from Tamilnadu and their successors are now majority in Munnar
History
During the British rule of India, Munnar was developed to cultivate tea plants. At that time, most of the people around the area were employed as labourers for the various plantations. In the early stages of development, only Tamilians and a few Malayalis inhabited Munnar. Most of the top positions in the estates were occupied by the British "Managers". A few bungalows were built for them and these are still in use. It is also believed that Munnar was a favourite place for the British who sought a cooler climate. Munnar is sometimes referred to as the "Switzerland of India" for its natural surroundings and Old World architecture. In 2000, the Government of Kerala declared Munnar as a tourist spot. This has helped in attracting more tourists to this beautiful hill resort.
Places to See
Mattupetti Dam: 10km from Munnar, this popular picnic spot activities like boating and horse riding and is a great place to spend the day especially if visiting with children.
Mattupetti Indo-Swiss Farm: Better known as Mattupetti (cattle village), Tamil migrant labourers had once upon a time reared cattle here. The cool climate and abundance of fodder made it the ideal location for the Indo-Swiss dairy farm. Established in 1961, the Kerala Livestock Development Board (KLDB) manages this highly specialised dairy farm. The dairy farm is a unique one of its kind with more than 100 varieties of high-yielding cattle being reared.
Eravikulam (Rajamalai) National Park: Nilgiri Thar (Hemitragas hylocres) - an endangered species of mountain goats, rolling grasslands and sholas, spread over 97 sq km in the Rajamalai hills, rare flora and fauna, Atlas moth (largest in the world), lion-tailed macaque, leopards, tigers, The Kurichi or Neelakurinji Flowers turn the hills of Rajamalai blue every 12 years.
Anamudi Peak inside Eravikulam National Park: The highest peak (2695 m) south of the Himalayas, towers over the sanctuary in majestic pride. The slopes of the hills abound in all kinds of rare flora and fauna. The Atlas moth, the largest of its kind in the world, is a unique inhabitant of the park. Other rare species of fauna found here are the Nilgiri Langur, the lion-tailed macaque, leopards, tigers, etc. An ideal place for trekking, facilities are provided here and tourists are allowed to go on foot up to Anamudi.
Salim Ali (Thattekkad) Bird Sanctuary: There are woodpeckers, Malabar gray hornbills, Ceylon frogmouths, parakeets, and rose-billed rollers. This sanctuary is located 20km from Kothamangalam on the road between Ernakulam and Munnar. There are basic and mid-range hotels in Kothamangalam and an Inspection Bungalow in Boothathankettu. You can take a boat cruise from Boothathankettu to Thattekkad. Admission Foreigners/Indian Rs 40/10.
Echo Point: 15km from Munnar, on the way to top station from Munnar is a small lake set amidst rolling hills. Every loud call made from a spot on the lake embankment is returned manifold by the echo from the surrounding hills. Young tourists throng to this place to listen to the echoes of their friendship calls.
Marayoor: Around 40km from Munnar. It is the only place in Kerala with natural growth of sandalwood trees, natural caves with murals, and relics from Later Stone Age civilisation. There is a sandalwood factory of the Forest Department of Kerala and a children's park extending across one hectare of land under the canopy of a single Banyan tree, all of which attract tourists in large numbers.
Munnar, South India Hill Station
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